Wind and water power generation device using a rail system

ABSTRACT

A power generation assembly for use in generating electrical power from air or water currents includes a rail system forming a loop, a vane assembly having a frame and at least one vane, and a car assembly slidably mounted to the rail, including a linkage portion coupled to the frame of the vane assembly and a power-take-off arrangement includes an element that is operatively coupled to the car assembly and a drive wheel coupled to a generator and configured to take power off the moving car assembly by the drive wheels being rotated by the passing power take off element.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No.60/215,794, filed on Jul. 5, 2000.

THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a power generation assembly for use ingenerating electrical power from air or water currents, and moreparticularly to a rail-based conveyance system having a low-mass carassembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For thousands of years, wind and water have been harnessed as sources ofpower. In Europe and Asia, for example, wind was a primary source ofenergy for thousands of years. More recently, much of the world's energyhas been derived from fossil fuels. Because more energy could be moreefficiently obtained from fossil fuels, they largely supplanted the useof wind and water as power sources. However, in a day where pollution,rising energy costs and depleting resources are among the chiefconcerns, harnessing water and wind as forms of energy is becoming moreeconomically feasible and more desirable.

Examples of systems adapted for harnessing the energy of wind and waterare disclosed in the following patents, which are hereby incorporated byreference for their supporting teachings:

U.S. Pat. No. 3,730,643 to Davison discloses wind power machine in whicha plurality of sails connected to an endless chain move about an endlesshorizontal track to drive an electric generator. Each sail is mounted onan individual truck supported on the track. The endless track isarranged as two spaced apart parallel runs connected by semi-circularend sections. Each sail is rotatable about a vertical pivot on its truckand is controllable so that the sails can be positioned to drive themachine while moving along one run of the track and to be positioned tooffer the least wind resistance while moving in the reverse directionalong the other run of the track. Depending upon the direction of thewind the sails in most instances can be adjusted to provide drive alongboth runs of the track. The sails are adjusted by an electric motordrive controlled by a wind vane. In a modified control system ananemometer is provided to over ride the wind vane control, to align thesails with the wind to present the least resistance to the wind when thewind power machine is subjected to winds of damaging force.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,163,905 to Davison discloses a submerged water powermachine in which a plurality of vertical blades are connected to twoendless chains, one located at the top ends and the other located at thebottom ends of the blades. The blades drive the chains about two endlesshorizontal tracks, and the chains are drivingly coupled to electricgenerators. Each blade is mounted on an individual truck supported onthe top track and is guided at its bottom by a roller within the bottomtrack. The endless tracks are arranged as two spaced-apart parallel runsconnected by semi-circular end sections. Each blade is adjustable aboutvertical pivot means on its truck and is controllable so that the bladescan be positioned to drive the machine while moving along both runs ofthe tracks. The blades are adjusted either by electric servo motor drivemeans controlled by a position programmer or by followers carried by theblades and engaging cam tracks. The trucks, top chain andblade-positioning control elements are contained in a pressurizedinverted cup-hole housing so that these parts operate in air rather thanwater. Over this housing is a flotation air compartment containing thegenerators. Tether lines are employed to anchor the machine to the oceanfloor. The blades are spaced far enough apart to allow a portion of thewater to flow past the first row of blades into the path of the secondrow of blades, with the blades of both rows oriented to develop drivingforce on the chains in the same direction of chain travel.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,344 to Davison discloses a novel wind or waterpowered generator apparatus is provided for generating substantialquantities of electricity. The apparatus includes a plurality ofsail-driven cars connected to form a continuous chain and suspended froma monorail loop. The car suspension system has two horizontal guidewheels and one vertical carrier wheel. Substantially the entire weightof each car is carried by its vertical wheel, which is located near thecar's center of gravity. Further, all three suspension wheels arelocated inside the monorail, thereby rendering car derailment virtuallyimpossible. Two sails are attached to each car, one being directedupwardly and the other being directed downwardly. The surface areas ofthe two sails are such that the average, total current force on eachsail is approximately the same. Additionally, the novel sails are freeto rotate 360 degrees about their support poles, but they are biased toa preferred orientation. Thus, as the current and biasing forcesinteract, the cars are propelled along the monorail. Importantly, in theevent that destructive strength currents arise, the sails rapidly alignthemselves with the current, thereby preventing sail destruction. One ormore elongated augers are positioned adjacent the monorail loop. Augerdrive rollers are attached to each car such that the adjacently movingcars rotate the auger. A generator is connected to the augers so as tobe driven thereby.

While the foregoing prior art references demonstrate improvement in thefield of power generation, each of these prior art references haveproven inadequate in several respects. First, in a monorail loopgeneration system, it is advantageous to minimize the mass of thevane/car assembly. If these assemblies have large mass, much of thewind's energy is being utilized in overcoming friction between theassemblies and the rail. In contrast, if the vane/car assembly hasrelatively small mass, it can be more readily moved by the wind. Thismovement may then be used to generate energy.

Additional concerns related to the mass of the vane/car assemblies areexpense of materials. For obvious reasons, the more materials that arerequired in constructing a power generation system, the moreuneconomical the system becomes.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a power generation systemthat reduced the overall mass of the vane/car assembly, while providingthe environmental and economical advantages of wind and water as sourcesof energy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is, therefore, provided a power generation assembly for use ingenerating electrical power from air or water currents, and moreparticularly to a rail-based conveyance system having a low-mass carassembly. The assembly includes the following features. First, a railsystem is provided. Slidably mounted on the rail is a car assembly. Thecar assembly includes a linkage portion that couples the car to a vaneassembly. The vane assembly includes a frame, to which the linkageportion is connected, and at least one vane. A power-take-off device ispivotally coupled to the car. The power-take-off device engagesgenerator drive wheels, which are coupled to a generator, therebydriving the generator.

In one embodiment, the power-take-off connects adjacent car assemblies.This connection can be accomplished in any number of ways, however inone particular embodiment, the power-take-off device comprises anelement running between two guide wheels. In another embodiment, thepower-take-off device is coupled to the linkage portion of the car.Tongue-and-groove couplings at the ends of the power take-off device maybe used to connect the car assemblies.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention so that the detailed description thereof thatfollows may be better understood, and so that the present contributionto the art may be better appreciated. Other features of the presentinvention will become clearer from the following detailed description ofthe invention, taken with the accompanying drawings and claims, or maybe learned by the practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective of a power generation assembly according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a side-sectional view of a power generation assembly accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side-sectional view of a car assembly and generator system.

FIG. 4 is a side-sectional view of another embodiment of the carassembly and generator system.

FIGS. 5( a) and (b) are a side and top view, respectively, of a carassembly.

FIGS. 6( a) and (b) are a top view of a tongue-and-groove connectionaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 6( c) is a side-sectional view of an embodiment of a power-take-offas coupled to the car assembly.

FIG. 7 is a side-view of an embodiment of a generator system

FIGS. 8( a) and (b) are side and top views, respectively, of a carassembly embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a vertical monorail assembly.

FIGS. 10( a) and (b) show embodiments of the rail configurationaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows an adjustable looping rail system.

FIG. 12 is an embodiment of a rail configuration according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a power generation assembly.

FIG. 14 is a side-sectional view of a submersible embodiment of thepresent power generation assembly.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a submersible embodiment of thepresent power generation assembly.

FIG. 16 side view of an airfoil assembly including solar panels.

FIGS. 17( a)–(d) are various car assembly configurations according tothe present invention.

FIG. 18 is a side section of a power generation assembly showing apendulum feathering device.

FIG. 19 is a schematic representation of a power generation assemblyshowing an anemometer, a wind vane and a solar positioner with computer,servo and respective connections.

FIG. 20 is an expanded view of a bias mechanism with a pull pin pendulumfor feathering the sail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

The presently preferred embodiments of the invention will be bestunderstood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts aredesignated with like numerals throughout.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a power generation assembly 30 is shown. The powergeneration assembly includes a rail 32, which in FIGS. 1 and 2, is amonorail supported by pole supports 31. In FIG. 1, numerous vaneassemblies 34 are shown slidably mounted on the rail 32. However, it isnoted that the actual number of vane assemblies 34 used in each powergeneration assembly 32 may vary depending on need.

The vane assembly 34 consists of a frame 36 and at least one vane 38positioned on the frame 36. FIGS. 1 and 2, show both upwardly anddownwardly deployed sails 38. The sails 38 are coupled to a common shaft39 pivotal in a sleeve bearing 43 (FIG. 4), and are biased to one sideso as to eliminate side to side movement within the rail 32. Thisbiasing also keeps the guide wheels 44 turning in the same directionmore of the time. A pin release cover 35 and pendulum 37 are shownproximate the frame 36, and the frame 36 is coupled to a car assembly 40by a linkage portion 42.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show car assembly 40 embodiments in greater detail. Inaddition to the linkage portion 42, the car assembly 40 includes acarrier wheel 48 at least two guide wheels 44 coupled along alongitudinal axis element 46. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, a sleeve bearing41 allows a power-take-off device 50 to pivot around the longitudinalaxis element 46. The power-take-off device 50 is the means wherebyadjacent car assemblies 40, along the power generation system 30, areinterconnected. The power-take-off device 50 is also the mechanism thatengages the drive wheels 54, whereby a generator 62 is driven.

In operation, the present power generation assembly 30 is placed in thepath of a wind or water current. In the wind-driven assembly, airfoils38 are coupled to a car assembly 40 that is slidably mounted along therail 32. In response to wind currents, the car assembly 40 travels alongthe rail 32. As the car assembly 40 travels, the power-take-off device50 passes through a pair of adjustable drive wheels 54. These drivewheels 54 may be compressed by adjustment and/or springs placed aboveand below the power-take-off device 50.

The power-take-off 50 may be composed of, or coated with, a suitabletraction material. As the power-take-off 50 passes through the drivewheels 54, the drive wheels 54 are engaged, and thus begin rotating.This rotational energy is then transferred along an axle 56, which canthen be used, through a series of gears 58, to power a generator driveshaft 60.

It is noted that the power-take-off device 50 can be coupled to the carassembly 40 in any number of configurations. For example, in FIG. 3, thepower-take-off device 50 is coupled to the longitudinal axis element 46.In contrast, in FIG. 4, the power-take-off device is coupled to thelinkage portion 42. However, in each instance, the generator 62 isdriven by the passage of the power-take-off device 50 through the drivewheels 54.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show in greater detail the pivoting connection betweenadjacent car assemblies 40. This pivoting action is particularlyimportant when the rail 32 is configured as a loop. In FIG. 5( a) a sideview of two adjacent car assemblies 40 is shown. The car assemblies 40are connected along a power-take-off device 50. The power-take-offdevice 50 partially, or wholly, circumscribes the sleeve bearing 41along the longitudinal axis element 46. A slot shield 64 is also shownin FIG. 5( b). By pivotally hinging each adjacent car assembly 40 inthis manner, all moving parts of the power generation assembly 30 can besubstantially enclosed, providing protection against environmentalelements that could otherwise damage the assembly.

As best seen in FIGS. 6( a) and (b), a tongue 66 and groove 68connection is placed at each car assembly 40. FIG. 6( a) shows thepower-take-off device 50 as the car assembly 40 rounds a bend in therail 32. FIG. 6( b) shows the power-take-off device 50 on asubstantially straight portion of the rail 32.

FIG. 7 depicts a drive wheel 54 configuration according to the presentinvention. It is noted that while eight pairs of drive wheels 54 areshown, any number of drive wheels 54 could be so configured.

FIGS. 8( a)–(b) and FIG. 9 show rail configuration and car assemblyconfigurations for a vertical monorail system. It is noted that in FIGS.8( a) and (b), more than one carrier wheel 48 is utilized. These carrierwheels 48 are supported by a brace 49 that is coupled to thelongitudinal axis element 46 with two bearings 51.

FIG. 10( a) shows an oval loop rail design wherein a common generator 62is driven by multiple drive shafts 60. In this configuration, drivewheels 54 are engaged in the same manner as outlined above. However, byutilizing a common generator 62, greater energy can be harnessed withoutrequiring additional generators 62. It is also noted that the loopconfiguration is advantageous because efficiency increases in proportionto length. Thus, a long narrow looping rail system will be moreefficient than other rail designs.

FIG. 10( b) shows an oval rail loop with an open segment 88. Such anopen segment 88 is advantageous in construction of the power generationassembly 30 because it allows insertion of the vane/car assemblies fromone location. Once the vane/car assemblies are all inserted, the powergeneration assembly could commence operation by inserting a compatiblesegment of rail 32, such as a panel or door, thereby closing the loop.Such a panel or door would be advantageous for maintenance and repair ofvane/car assemblies. It is also noted that, upon completion ofconstruction, this open segment 88 would be an advantageous location toremove the vane/car assemblies for replacement.

FIG. 11 depicts another embodiment respecting rail configuration. Thisconfiguration is well suited for areas having winds from all directions.In this figure, a parallel loop rail 85 is mounted upon an inner circletrack 84 and an outer circle track 86. Thus, the parallel loop 85 can bepositioned along the inner 84 and outer tracks 86 for better orientationto the wind.

FIG. 12 depicts two other rail configurations. With the circularconfigured rail 90, the rails 32 have large spaces between them. Suchlarge separating spaces between the rails 32 enables the wind to recoupwith full force on the leeward side. The L-configured rail 92 enhancesthe power generating assemblies 30 ability to extract more energy fromthe wind due to cascade effect (i.e. the wind is partially dammedthereby increasing the pressure gradient).

FIGS. 14 and 15 depict a water-driven power generation assemblyaccording to the present invention. It is noted that the operation ofthe car assembly 40, generating system 52 and rail 32 is essentially thesame as in the wind driven system outlined above. The water vanes 74operate essentially the same as the airfoils 38 discussed above, withthe main exception being that the water vanes 74 harness energy fromwater currents rather than wind currents.

As is seen in FIGS. 14 and 15, all mechanical parts are enclosed in asubstantially water-free environment. Air tanks 70 are built into thestructure to maintain buoyancy, and computer pressure regulators 82along with an air pump 80 supply the tanks 70 with sufficient air tomaintain leveling. An air line 78 is in communication with the surfaceair supply.

It is noted that an additional advantage of the present invention is thedistance between the guide wheels 44 in the car assembly 40. The guidewheels 44 are set far enough apart to allow drive wheel 54 constructionwithin the rail 32. This guide wheel 44 configuration also enables drivesystem and generator to be enclosed and provides greater stability andstrength, reducing cantilevering.

Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised bythose skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention and the appended claims are intended to cover suchmodifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present invention hasbeen described above with particularity and detail in connection withwhat is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferredembodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limitedto, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, manner ofoperation, assembly, and use may be made without departing from theprinciples and concepts set forth herein.

1. A power generation assembly for use in generating electrical powerfrom air or water currents, comprising: a) a rail system; b) a vaneassembly, having a frame and at least one vane configured to interactwith said currents to produce a force: c) a car assembly, slidablymounted to the rail, including a first and second guide wheels and alongitudinal axis element running between the first and second guidewheels and a linkage portion coupled to the frame, the force beinguseable to move the car assembly with respect to the rail system; d) apower-take-off device operatively coupled to the car assembly,positioned intermediate the vane assembly and the rail system andlocated no farther away from the rail system toward the vane assemblythan is the longitudinal axis element of the car, said power-take-offdevice being configured so that it rotates around the rail system; ande) a generating system having: i) a generator; and ii) at least onedrive wheel operatively coupled to the generator, and engaged by thepower-take-off device; the generator being driven when thepower-take-off device moves with respect to the rail system, turningsaid drive wheel, a relationship of said drive wheel to saidpower-take-off device being that of a wheel being turned by atranslating comparatively straighter element tangent to said wheel. 2.The power generation assembly of claim 1, wherein the power-take-offdevice pivotally connects the car assembly to at least one additionalcar assembly.
 3. The power generation assembly of claim 1, wherein thepower-take-off device comprises a beam.
 4. The power generation assemblyof claim 1, wherein the power-take-off device is coupled to thelongitudinal axis element.
 5. The power generation assembly of claim 1,wherein the power-take-off device comprises a multiplicity of pivotablylinked connector elements, each of which has a tongue at a first end anda groove at an opposite end, such that each power-take-off connectorelement may pivotally engage an adjacent power-take-off connectorelement in a tongue-and groove coupling.
 6. The power generationassembly of claim 1, wherein the rail system comprises a monorail
 7. Thepower generation assembly of claim 1, wherein the vane is configured tointeract with an air flow.
 8. The power generation assembly of claim 1,wherein the vane is configured to interact with a water flow.
 9. A powergeneration assembly configured for generating electrical power from atleast one of wind and water currents, including: a) a rail systemcomprising a rail in a continuous loop; b) a vane assembly, having aframe and at least one vane configured to cooperate with said at leastone of wind and water currents to produce force acting on the frame; c)a car assembly including a multiplicity of cars pivotably interconnectedto form a continuous loop, said car assembly including a first andsecond guide wheels and a longitudinal axis element running between thefirst and second guide wheels, said car assembly being movably carriedby the rail system and said car assembly being connected to said frameof the vane assembly whereby said force can be transferred to the carassembly and move it along the continuous loop; d) a power take offelement operably connected with the car assembly, and being positionedintermediate the vane assembly and the rail system and located nofarther away from the rail system toward the vane assembly than is thelongitudinal axis element of the car assembly, the power take offelement comprising a continuous loop which interacts with at least onedrive wheel to transfer moving force from the car assembly through thepower takeoff element and drive wheel to e) a generator, configured togenerate electrical energy, said drive wheel being frictionally engagedwith said power-take-off element so that as the power-take-off elementtranslates past the drive wheel and the drive wheel rotates allowingtransfer of energy from the car assembly to the generator, the assemblyconverting a portion of the energy of said currents into electricalenergy.
 10. The power generation assembly of claim 9, further comprisinganother wheel engaged with the power-take-off element at a position thatit rotates in the opposite direction of the drive wheel and saidpower-take-off element is positioned intermediate said wheels.
 11. Thepower generation assembly of claim 10, wherein both of said wheels canfunction as drive wheels.
 12. The power generation assembly of claim 9,wherein a car includes at least one carrier wheel and one guide wheel.13. The power generation assembly of claim 12, wherein a car includes atleast two guide wheels.
 14. The power generation assembly of claim 12,wherein said rail is configured so that the carrier wheel and the guidewheel can travel inside the rail.
 15. The power generation assembly ofclaim 14, wherein the carrier wheel can pivot with respect to the car.16. The power generation assembly of claim 9, wherein the vane assemblycan be removed from the car assembly.
 17. The power generation assemblyof claim 9, further comprising a feathering device enabling featheringof the vane.
 18. A power generation assembly for use in generatingelectrical power from air or water currents, comprising: a) a railsystem; b) a vane assembly, having a frame and at least one vaneconfigured to interact with said currents to produce a force: c) a carassembly, slidably mounted to the rail, including a linkage portioncoupled to the frame, the force being useable to move the car assemblywith respect to the rail system; d) a power-take-off device operativelycoupled to the car assembly, said power-take-off device being configuredso that it rotates around the rail system; and e) a generating systemhaving: i) a generator; and ii) at least one drive wheel operativelycoupled to the generator, and engaged by the power-take-off device; thegenerator being driven when the power-take-off device moves with respectto the rail system, turning said drive wheel, and wherein thepower-take-off device comprises a multiplicity of pivotably linkedconnector elements, each of which has a tongue at a first end and agroove at an opposite end, such that each power-take-off connectorelement can pivotally engage an adjacent power-take-off connectorelement in a tongue-and groove coupling.